title: The mechanical properties of human adipose tissues and their relationships to the structure and composition of the extracellular matrix.
abstract: Adipose tissue (AT) expansion in obesity is characterized by cellular growth and continuous extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling with increased fibrillar collagen deposition. It is hypothesized that the matrix can inhibit cellular expansion and lipid storage. Therefore, it is important to fully characterize the ECM's biomechanical properties and its interactions with cells. In this study, we characterize and compare the mechanical properties of human subcutaneous and omental tissues, which have different physiological functions. AT was obtained from 44 subjects undergoing surgery. Force/extension and stress/relaxation data were obtained. The effects of osmotic challenge were measured to investigate the cellular contribution to tissue mechanics. Tissue structure and its response to tensile strain were determined using nonlinear microscopy. AT showed nonlinear stress/strain characteristics of up to a 30% strain. Comparing paired subcutaneous and omental samples (n = 19), the moduli were lower in subcutaneous: initial 1.6 ± 0.8 (means ± SD) and 2.9 ± 1.5 kPa (P = 0.001), final 11.7 ± 6.4 and 32 ± 15.6 kPa (P < 0.001), respectively. The energy dissipation density was lower in subcutaneous AT (n = 13): 0.1 ± 0.1 and 0.3 ± 0.2 kPa, respectively (P = 0.006). Stress/relaxation followed a two-exponential time course. When the incubation medium was exchanged for deionized water in specimens held at 30% strain, force decreased by 31%, and the final modulus increased significantly. Nonlinear microscopy revealed collagen and elastin networks in close proximity to adipocytes and a larger-scale network of larger fiber bundles. There was considerable microscale heterogeneity in the response to strain in both cells and matrix fibers. These results suggest that subcutaneous AT has greater capacity for expansion and recovery from mechanical deformation than omental AT.
authors.affiliation: Obesity Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom;
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alkhouli
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mansfield
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Liversedge
authors.forename: Ji Chung
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tham
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Welbourn
authors.forename: Angela C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Shore
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kos
authors.forename: C Peter
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Winlove
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009997:Osmotic Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014783:Viscosity; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adipose; biomechanics; extracellular matrix